Colorado moved forward with its Canadian Drug Importation Program on Monday, releasing negotiation invitations for vendors that will import the foreign prescription drugs to help decrease health care costs for Coloradans.

Importing prescription drugs from Canada would reduce drug costs for Coloradans by at least 60% and up to more than 90%, according to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

“The U.S. pays the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs, and we are sick and tired of being ripped off,” said Gov. Jared Polis.

Polis said drug costs are so high in the U.S. that nearly 1 in 3 Coloradans do not take their prescription drugs as directed, instead opting to take less or space them out because they cannot afford to buy more.

“My administration will lead the way in changing that,” Polis said. “Safely importing prescription drugs from Canada is one of the ways we can help Coloradans save money on health care.”

Soliciting vendors is the next step toward implementing the program that was made possible in November when a change in federal policy allowed Coloradans access to some of Canada’s lower-priced drugs via FDA-authorized importations.

Bids for the vendor contracts are due by April 26. The state expects to award vendor contracts later this year.

“One in four Coloradans get their prescription drug and health care coverage through (our department),” said Kim Bimestefer with CDHCPF. “We look forward to working with domestic and foreign partners to help us save Colorado families and our employers money.”

According to the state’s invitation, there are several opportunities for vendors to participate in the program.

One vendor will be in charge of compliance monitoring, communications and data collection. A Canadian wholesaler vendor will purchase the drugs and a U.S. wholesaler vendor will facilitate the importation of the drugs into Colorado.

All vendors must meet the standards required in state and federal law.